Food-conveyer



C. E. SWARTZBAUGH.

FOOD CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-6.1919.

1,375,121. 1 Pate11tedApr.19,1921.

2 SHEETVSSHEET 1.

C. E. SWARTZBAUGH.

FOOD CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 6, 1919.

STATES GHABLES E: SWARTZBA'UGH, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

FOOD-CONVEYER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 19, 1921.

Application filed January 6, 1919. Serial No. 269,877.

T u all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. S'wAR'rz- BAUGH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Toledo, Lucas county, Ohio, have invented new and useful Food- Conveyers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to insulated portable containers, especially for the handling of foods, either liquid or solid.

This invention has utility when incorporated in food conveyers, especially adaptable to hospitals, but also generally applicable to catering for use away from the place the food is prepared, permitting wider range for superior service from a single kitchen with maximum ease in salvaging to advantage the left-over quantities of food. Furthermore, there is economy in help for rendering efficient service.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective View of an embodiment of the invention in a food conveyer; I

Fig; 2 is a section on the line 11-11,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one lid partly open, and the other fully open; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the pocket suspending and closure means.

The carrier wheels 1 are shown as of wire having rubber tires and are mounted on the axle 2 which axle carries a pair of semielliptic leaf springs 3 terminating in brackets 4 engaging rectangular angle metal base frame 5, surrounding a jacket of sheet metal 6 about wood frame 7 packed with an insulation pr heat nonconductor packing 8. This housing has near the top a frame skeleton 9 carrying a reinforcing sheet metal top plate 10 upon which is mounted an aluminum top piece proper 11 from which are suspended pockets or linings 12.

The pocket 12 is spaced from the members 10 and 11 by an intermediate .piece 13. The top portion of the member 12 has a flange 14 outwardly extending and foldable with the elements 13 and 11 to form a seam or seat. The minor ookets 15 are for smaller containers 16 whic may be used forspecial diet or small portions as in treating patients in hospitals. The larger pockets have vessels 17 therein provided at their top with a downwardly extending flange 18 for suspending the vessel 17 from the seam seat 14.

Qpposing the seat 14 and upon the opposite side of the flange 18 of the vessel 17, there 1s a top closure 19 centrally countersunk.

The housing or container proper has a top with a sheet metal jacket 20 upon a wood frame 21 with the central portion thereof provided with a heat non-conductor filling or packing 22. An inner face or lining has a central countersunk portion 23 surrounded by a more rigid or stiffening flange'project10n 24: so that the countersunk portion 23 is relatively yieldable.

Whenoswinging this top closure for the houslng down into position, it may be'pulled by the hasp 25 for pressingithe outer rims of the Vessel closures 19 down and holding them in sealing position as to liquid food in the vessels 17, which sealingfu'rther assists 1n maintaining the hotor' cold condition of the food.

In openin the housing, the hasp 25 is released and y grasping the handle 26 the top closure may be. readily swung-back as limited by theslidebar 27 past central position so that' its weight will maintain it against jarring closed.

For use in propelling this food conveyer or vehicle, there may be with the frame 5- a push handle 28, while for maintaining the housing in a normal horizontal position at rest, the legs 29 having the rubher feet 30, areprovided.

Using this food conveyer as a catering apparatus, it is desirable frequently to transport food the temperature of which is not important, or it is also desirable to transport certain articles as spoons and dishes, which may conveniently be carried with this conveyer by providing at the bottom 31 a track 32 into which flanges 33 of drawer 34 may project for suspending such drawer for sliding in and out under the bottom 31 by grasping handle 35.

The apparatus is sanitary in its entire equipment for there are no recesses for the repose of foreign matter and the entire equipment is readily kept clean. There can be no opening of seamsfor weakening the structure, for the sheet metal sheathing or armor precludes any such objectionable condition arising.

The outwardly bent lower end of the bar '27 serves to clear the angle frame 5 when the top 20 is closed, and when the top is in fully opened position this bent end of the bar 27 binds against the head of pin 36 having a seat opposing the pocket seat for engaging the vessel suspending means, and a container closure yieldably engaging the vessel closure for maintaining sealing of the vessel.

2. A container insulated wall pocket having a top opening surrounded by an endless rimmed seat, a vessel entering said pocket and having a top outwardly projecting annular flange sustaining the vessel on the pocket seat, a vessel closure extending over said vessel flange, and a container insulated closure having. a yieldable wall movable against the vessel closure for maintaining sealirig of the vessel.

3. heat insulated housing including a transverse top plate, a lining for the housing having means extending up over the top .plate thereby to sustain the lining away from the housing and suspend the lining in the housing from the top plate, a sheet metal jacket for the housing, and a running gear for carrying the housing, whereby the concussions to which the housing may be subected during travel may be tnansmitted, to the lining through said top plate independentlyof said lining being disturbed therefrom at its side or bottom.

4. A running gear a frame having parallel portions engaged by the running gear, a housing mounted in the frame, linings having means suspending the linings in the housing, insulating packing between the jecting thereover, a "essel suspended in the A pocket by projecting therebeyond, a vessel closure coacting with the vessel extension and centrally countersunk, and a closure for the housing having its central portion countersunk.

In Witness whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES E. SW ARTZBAUGH. 

